Delhi Police arrests three more in Turkman Gate clashes, total 16 held

Delhi Police on Friday arrested three more individuals in connection with clashes during an anti-encroachment drive near Faiz Elahi Mosque and a nearby graveyard in Turkman Gate, taking the total number of arrests to 16.

The violence erupted on Wednesday when the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) began demolishing structures on land adjoining the mosque. Officials said the mosque itself was not damaged, but social media posts alleging otherwise drew a large crowd. Police estimated 150–200 people were involved in the clashes, injuring six officers, including the local station house officer.

The three arrested on Friday — Mohammad Naved, Mohammad Faiz and Mohammad Ubaidulla — were sent to judicial custody until January 21. Authorities said they are searching for 10 more suspects. A Delhi court on Friday also remanded eight previously arrested individuals to 12 days of judicial custody. Five others seeking bail alleged assault inside the jail, prompting the court to issue notices to the police and jail authorities.

Police have invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to rioting and obstructing public servants, along with Section 109, which deals with attempt to murder.

The demolition followed a December 22 MCD order declaring structures beyond 0.19 acres around the mosque as encroachments. The move was in line with a November 12 Delhi High Court directive to clear encroachments near Ramlila Ground at Turkman Gate. The mosque’s managing committee had challenged the order, and the Delhi High Court on January 6 said the matter “requires consideration.”